Ofsted: Good trending_up Places Available emoji_events #7 in Westmorland and Furness public Top 21% UK

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School

verifiedData: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

person Ms Nicola Tweddle (Headteacher)

corporate_fareCUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST

location_onKirkby Stephen, CA17 4HA

language Visit Website phone 01768371693

verified

Ofsted

Good

Inspected 2024

groups

Students

352

trending_up

Attainment 8

50.2

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GCSE Rank

#3 in Westmorland and Furness

#1,124 of 4,024 nationally

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Kirkby Stephen Grammar School is a Academy converter secondary school in Kirkby Stephen, serving ages 11-18. Rated Good by Ofsted.

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School Summary

Kirkby Stephen Grammar School is an academy converter in Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland and Furness, admitting pupils aged 11-18. It has a sixth form offering post-16 education. It is part of CUMBRIA EDUCATION TRUST. The school has approximately 377 pupils on roll, of whom 20% are eligible for free school meals.

In 2026, pupils achieved an Attainment 8 score of 50.2, placing the school #3 in Westmorland and Furness and #1,124 of 4,024 nationally. 66.70% of pupils achieved grade 5 or above in English and Maths. 23.7% of all GCSE entries were graded 9–7.

The sixth form offers 11 A-level subjects. 42.0% of A-level entries were graded A*–B, with 8.7% at A*–A. In the 2022/23 leavers cohort, 12.9% progressed to Top-Third Higher Education institutions (ranked #1,126 nationally), out of 52.2% progressing to higher education overall. A-level value added: +0.14 — students made above-average progress at sixth form.

Ofsted last inspected the school in 2024. The school's current overall rating is Good. Inspectors assessed quality of education as Good, behaviour and attitudes Good, personal development Good, and leadership and management Good.

In the most recent admissions cycle, applications were at 1.0× capacity.

The pupil-to-qualified-teacher ratio is 18.3:1. There are no current teaching vacancies.

In the 2024/25 academic year, there were no permanent exclusions. The average suspension rate was 1.7 per 1,000 pupils per term.

verified Source: DfE 2024/25–2025/26 · Ofsted

Academic Performance

verified Data: UK Gov 2024/25

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Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

2026

Attainment 8 Score

50.2

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

66.70%

Grade 4+ E&M

79.60%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)23.7%

5+ GCSEs (4+ incl. E&M)75.90%

Triple Science Entry53.70%

EBacc Slot Score14.8 / 30

2025

Attainment 8 Score

47.7

across 8 GCSE slots

Grade 5+ E&M

40.90%

Grade 4+ E&M

65.20%

Grade 9–7 (all GCSEs)13.8%

Entering EBacc12.10%

EBacc APS3.99

2024

Progress 8 Score

-0.02

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

48.6

Grade 5+ E&M

46.90%

Entering EBacc14.30%

EBacc APS4.06

2023

Progress 8 Score

0.01

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

44.8

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc4%

EBacc APS3.70

2022

Progress 8 Score

-0.16

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

45.2

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc11%

EBacc APS3.87

2019

Progress 8 Score

-0.27

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

42.3

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc16%

EBacc APS3.64

2018

Progress 8 Score

0.09

vs National Avg

Attainment 8

46.9

Grade 5+ E&M

Entering EBacc10%

EBacc APS3.94

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Student Destinations (After Secondary)

This module shows what students did after finishing Key Stage 4 (GCSEs). It reflects how well the school prepares pupils for the real world.

2026

Stayed in Education / Employment

91.8%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)73.5%

Apprenticeships8.2%

Employment10.2%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2025

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)72%

Apprenticeships23%

Employment5%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2024

Stayed in Education / Employment

98%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)70%

Apprenticeships19%

Employment10%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)2%

2023

Stayed in Education / Employment

100%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)81%

Apprenticeships11%

Employment8%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)0%

2022

Stayed in Education / Employment

95%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)80%

Apprenticeships4%

Employment11%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)5%

2021

Stayed in Education / Employment

93%

Education (e.g. Sixth Form/College)71%

Apprenticeships14%

Employment7%

Not in Education / Employment (NEET)6%

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Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

A-level results for students who stayed in sixth form at this school. Value added measures how much progress students made relative to their GCSE starting point.

2025

A-Level Value Added

+0.14

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make above-average progress at A-level.

Students

Grade Breakdown

Achieving A*–A8.7%

Achieving A*–B42.0%

VA Banding Average

Retention rate84.6%

A-level subjects offered11

2024

A-Level Value Added

-0.06

vs expected from GCSEs

Pupils make broadly expected progress at A-level.

Avg Grade

C+

Students

Retention rate92.30%

Post-18 Destinations 95.7% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 52.2%

handshake Apprenticeships 4.3%

work Employment 34.8%

Not sustained / NEET0%

2023

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate88.00%

Post-18 Destinations (2022/23 leavers)90.3% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 71%

stars Top-Third Universities 12.9%

handshake Apprenticeships 3.2%

work Employment 16.1%

Not sustained / NEET9.7%

2022

Avg Grade

Students

Retention rate100.0%

Post-18 Destinations 100% sustained

school Higher Education (University) 48.3%

handshake Apprenticeships 0%

work Employment 41.4%

Not sustained / NEET0%

Source: DfE A Level and Other 16-18 Results & 16-19 Destination Measures

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Ranking History & Trajectory

National & Local Authority position based on DfE performance data · Methodology

Year	Secondary Overall (Nat)	LA Rank	GCSE Attainment	Progress 8 Rank	A-Level VA	Top-Third Uni	Overall Uni (HE)
2026	#1,157 / 4,024	#7	#1,124	#1	—	#1,126	#1,605
2025	#972 / 3,948	#6	#1,478	#1	#609	#1,126	#1,605
2024	#1,118 / 4,450	#7	#1,348	#1,598	#1,336	#1,126	#1,605
2023	#1,313 / 4,321	#10	#1,982	#1,460	—	—	#417
2022	#1,947 / 4,199	#13	#2,268	#1,897	—	—	#1,785
2019	#2,089 / 2,711	#14	#2,030	#2,053	—	—	—
2018	#1,209 / 2,537	#9	#1,241	#1,120	—	—	—

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Report Archive

30 January 2024

Inspection Report

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04 October 2022

Inspection Report

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12 September 2017

Inspection Report

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17 January 2017

Inspection Report

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15 May 2013

Inspection Report

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14 February 2012

Inspection Report

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Inspection Report

Inspection History

5 Evaluations

2024-01-30

Schools with Serious Weaknesses Visit 1 EIF

Good

Education

Good

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2022-10-04

Section 8 inspection of good and outstanding schools EIF

Inadequate

Education

Requires improvement

Behaviour

Good

Development

Good

Leadership

Inadequate

verified_user Safeguarding: Not Met

2017-09-12

Schools into Special Measures Visit 1 Legacy

Good

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Good

verified_user Safeguarding: Met

2017-01-17

None Legacy

Inadequate

Education

No Judgement

Behaviour

No Judgement

Development

No Judgement

Leadership

Inadequate

verified_user Safeguarding: Not Met

2013-05-15

None Legacy

Good

Education

Good

Leadership

Good

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

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Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Official Department for Education (DfE) data. Suspensions measure temporary removals due to behavior, while exclusions represent permanent removals.

Suspension Rate

1.5%per term

sentiment_satisfied Below Average (Good)

National average: 7.3% for this term (secondary).

Pupils Suspended 1+ Times

1.3%(5 pupils)

Spring term 2025

Represents the proportion of unique students suspended at least once in this term.

Permanent Exclusions

0pupils

verified Excellent (Zero)

National average: 7.398% of pupils excluded per term.

Pastoral Context: In the Spring term of 2025, this school served a headcount of 388 pupils. During this period, there were 6 temporary suspensions. The school's suspension rate was 1.5%, which is below the termly national average of 7.3%.

View Historical Disciplinary Records (2017–2025)keyboard_arrow_down

Year / Term	Headcount	Suspensions	Susp. Rate	Nat. Avg	Perm. Excl.
2024/25 (Spring term)	388	6	1.5%	7.3%	0
2024/25 (Autumn term)	386	7	1.8%	7.8%	0
2023/24 (Summer term)	351	6	1.7%	7.4%	0
2023/24 (Spring term)	347	4	1.2%	7.1%	0
2023/24 (Autumn term)	347	4	1.2%	8.2%	0
2022/23 (Summer term)	352	7	2.0%	6.6%	0
2022/23 (Spring term)	352	2	0.6%	6.4%	0
2022/23 (Autumn term)	354	8	2.3%	5.9%	0
2021/22 (Summer term)	353	1	0.3%	4.7%	0
2021/22 (Spring term)	350	11	3.1%	4.9%	0
2021/22 (Autumn term)	348	2	0.6%	4.4%	0
2020/21 (Summer term)	348	8	2.3%	3.6%	0
2020/21 (Spring term)	347	0	0.0%	1.0%	0
2020/21 (Autumn term)	349	4	1.1%	3.9%	0
2019/20 (Summer term)	350	0	0.0%	0.0%	0
2019/20 (Spring term)	350	5	1.4%	3.2%	0
2019/20 (Autumn term)	349	4	1.1%	4.2%	0
2018/19 (Summer term)	392	7	1.8%	3.1%	0
2018/19 (Spring term)	401	8	2.0%	3.8%	0
2018/19 (Autumn term)	401	8	2.0%	3.8%	0
2017/18 (Summer term)	394	4	1.0%	3.4%	0
2017/18 (Spring term)	393	7	1.8%	3.0%	0
2017/18 (Autumn term)	391	9	2.3%	3.7%	1
2016/17 (Summer term)	376	4	1.1%	3.0%	0
2016/17 (Spring term)	376	6	1.6%	3.3%	0
2016/17 (Autumn term)	377	8	2.1%	3.1%	0

Source: DfE Suspensions and Permanent Exclusions in England. Data represents termly statistics as published by the Department for Education.

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Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Primary areas of need currently supported by the school. A high number often indicates specialized internal units or high staff experience in these areas.

Specific Learning Difficulty 32 pupils

Social, Emotional & Mental Health 23 pupils

Autistic Spectrum Disorder 10 pupils

Moderate Learning Difficulty 10 pupils

Speech, Language & Communication 8 pupils

Physical Disability 3 pupils

Other Difficulty/Disability 3 pupils

Hearing Impairment 1 pupils

Visual Impairment 1 pupils

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Parent View on Pastoral Care

Results from the official Ofsted Parent View survey, reflecting direct parent sentiment regarding the school environment.

My child is happy at this school.

90%Positive

My child feels safe at this school.

99%Positive

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

8%Positive

View All Survey Responseskeyboard_arrow_down

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

strongly agree33%

agree51%

disagree7%

don't know8%

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

strongly agree11%

agree49%

disagree28%

strongly disagree8%

don't know4%

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

strongly agree31%

agree24%

disagree11%

strongly disagree3%

don't know1%

not applicable31%

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

yes19%

no81%

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

strongly agree57%

agree29%

strongly disagree7%

Don't know7%

The school has high expectations for my child.

strongly agree28%

agree46%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know13%

My child does well at this school.

strongly agree36%

agree50%

disagree4%

strongly disagree1%

don't know8%

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

strongly agree28%

agree49%

disagree10%

strongly disagree4%

don't know10%

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

strongly agree28%

agree54%

disagree15%

strongly disagree3%

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

strongly agree40%

agree56%

disagree3%

don't know1%

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

strongly agree31%

agree46%

disagree13%

strongly disagree1%

don't know10%

I would recommend this school to another parent.

yes93%

no7%

Top Secondary Schools in Westmorland and Furness

Other highly-ranked schools in the same local authority

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Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith

Good

location_on Penrith, CA11 7EG

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Queen Elizabeth School

Good

location_on None, LA6 2HJ

emoji_events #2 in LA

Cartmel Priory CofE School

Needs attention

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emoji_events #3 in LA

Ulverston Victoria High School

Good

location_on Ulverston, LA12 0EB

emoji_events #4 in LA

The Queen Katherine School

Expected standard

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emoji_events #5 in LA

Kirkbie Kendal School

Good

location_on Kendal, LA9 7EQ

emoji_events #6 in LA

View all schools in Westmorland and Furness arrow_forward

School Summary

Academic Performance

Secondary Performance Trends (KS4)

Student Destinations (After Secondary)

Sixth Form (A-Level) Performance

Ranking History & Trajectory

Ofsted History

Publication Timeline

Inspection History

Admissions Insight

How Places Are Allocated

Distance to School

School Capacity

Secondary Admission Trends

Students & School Environment

School Size

Language Diversity

Inclusive Support

Attendance

Ethnicity Breakdown

Wellbeing, SEN & Pastoral Care

Behaviour & Discipline (Suspensions & Exclusions)

Supported Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Parent View on Pastoral Care

My child is happy at this school.

My child feels safe at this school.

My child has been bullied and the school dealt with the bullying quickly and effectively.

The school makes sure its pupils are well behaved.

The school makes me aware of what my child will learn during the year.

When I have raised concerns with the school they have been dealt with properly

Does your child have special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND)?

My child has special educational needs and/or disabilities, and the school gives them the support they need to succeed.

The school has high expectations for my child.

My child does well at this school.

The school lets me know how my child is doing.

There is a good range of subjects available to my child at this school.

My child can take part in clubs and activities at this school.

The school supports my child's wider personal development.

I would recommend this school to another parent.

Funding & Staffing

School Funding Allocation

Funding Breakdown

Staffing

Teacher Turnover

Top Secondary Schools in Westmorland and Furness

Queen Elizabeth Grammar School Penrith

Queen Elizabeth School

Cartmel Priory CofE School

Ulverston Victoria High School

The Queen Katherine School

Kirkbie Kendal School